I truly understand your dilemma and this will be a tough decision for you. Your girls will miss you and vice versa but think about the "reunion" after 5 days!!!!

I am a crazy Yorkie mother and have not taken a vacation in almost 4 years because I refuse to leave Romeo overnight.

I'm no help either. In the three years I owned Tatiana, I never spent a night away from her, except for one time when her vet wanted to keep her overnight (after a spay and dental). Even then, during the day, I was updated every two hours. On the morning of pick-up, I got there EARLY to get her.

Good luck with you.

We are going to look at some homes in Ft. Myers area. Since we will be with a realtor all day , very day - I don't feel comfortable leaving the girls in a hotel room by themselves all day and I don't think that would be proper to bring them with us into strangers homes. I called a pet hotel near me and I am going to look at it next week.

I have church friends but they aren't dog people. I have a son that lives in Decatur but I'm not sure the girls wouldnl't be better off at a boarding facility. He sometimes works 12 hour days and I would bet the week we are gone he would have to work these crazy hours.

My vet does do boarding but no one plays with them during the day, only let out to potty. If I take them to the boarding facility I am thinking about, I can pay extra for play time and they are supposed to brush them every day. I am trying to not stress out too much about leaving them.

Boarding would be much better/safer than leaving in a hotel room unattended. You can call the boarding facility a couple times a day and check in with the girls. Maybe you could ask a friend to also visit the facility and your girls while you are gone.

I know how difficult this must be for you.

Karen,
I haven't replied until now because I really didn't have any helpful information. Bottom line is...it's gonna be hard!! It would be on me, too. But I would use the boarding facility and pay for the extra playtime and inspect the facilities...make sure they won't be anywhere at all near larger dogs that an accident could happen.

Then, I would go with my hubby and do my very best to have a good time with him. However, the entire time, I would be worried about my baby and probably cry a little along the way. BUT, there will be fun times on the trip where your mind will escape from those thoughts for just a minute or two.

Why am I posting this? Am I just making it worse for you? I don't know...I just wanted you to know that it is absolutely normal for you to be feeling this way and I (along with a YT forum full of Yorkie parents) feel your anguish and understand what you are and will be going thru. You can do this, though!

And, as hard as it is, just remember that when you pick your little ones up...to dogs, time is the same (I mean, to a dog, you can be gone an hour or a day or 5 days...once they see you again, it's like it was the same amount of time and they are over it and living in the happy, tail-wagging moment of your homecoming kisses) ;) :)

And, as hard as it is, just remember that when you pick your little ones up...to dogs, time is the same (I mean, to a dog, you can be gone an hour or a day or 5 days...once they see you again, it's like it was the same amount of time and they are over it and living in the happy, tail-wagging moment of your homecoming kisses) ;) :)[/QUOTE]

Someone else told me the same thing about a dog's sense of time. I know other people go through this decision too but I have never had to before.

Once I go and look at the facility I'll feel better. DH said to get every ammenity they have to offer so they will be in a "suite" with a glass front and a TV on all day. I don't think they offer play time with the other dogs and I'm not comfortable with that anyway. I'm not sure this place has puppy cam but I hope they do.

You are right....the reunion I will get after 5 days will be worth it.

I had to leave chester at my friends house, its tough, I had a hard time especially if you do not know anyone

I had to leave my chihuahua during the summer for 2 months and when I came back she made this loud moaning noise and I broke down crying. It was a trip to Puerto Rico when my grandmother was sick; she was with my parents but I thing the 5 days would pass by quickly. If you make sure the boarding facility is good you will be able to enjoy your trip and be secure that they are taken care of. Although I live in South Florida and there are lots of dog friendly hotels and restaurants!!! :)

I know it is hard to leave them, but I hope you do go with your husband.

I get a dogsitter to live at our house while we are away. I try to find a young adult that still lives with his/her parents and are happy to live independently for a week. You would be surprised how many adults would love to supliment their income dogsitting. I have found dogsitters through family ties, neighbors, and friends. I do write a long, long note explaining everything, etc., and meet with them ahead of time.

Boarding is also an option and would keep them safe. However, for us a live in person works well.